Published: Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.

In his 25 years as a truck driver, Larry Hovey has sped over a great deal of America's roadways and past a variation of speed limit signs.

On his travels, the 67-year-old Michigan resident has also thought of ways to improve the journey for motorists, but that list didn't include a new proposal by two Florida state senators to raise the speed limit on the Interstates from 70 mph to 75 mph.

“I think, keep it where it's at,” Hovey said during a quick break at an I-75 southbound rest stop Thursday. “I think 70 is perfect.”

Across the parking lot, another motorist agreed.

“A tire blows out at 75, they are just going to roll over and die,” said John Paze, 71, of Jacksonville, standing near his navy blue SUV.

But state senators Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, and Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, see it differently. The pair have proposed legislation that would raise the maximum allowable speed limit on all roads under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Transportation. The proposal also includes raising the maximum limit on divided highways from 65 to 70 mph.

“Many drivers are already going in excess of 70 miles an hour, and if we raise it to be more in line with that, we will have a convergence,” said Chris Spencer, legislative assistant for Brandes via telephone. He said raising the limits to 75 would likely be seen in rural areas with straight stretches of road and would be influenced by the assessments of traffic engineers.

The proposed changes would take effect July 1, 2014.

There are 16 states with speed limits of 75 mph or higher, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

“AAA believes there needs to be a study done to look at all the different factors that would go in (to the decision) before making an increase in the current speed,” said Karen Morgan, manager of public policy for AAA the Auto Club Group. She cited the design speed of the road, the number of access and exit points, capacity of the roadway and enforcement as factors to consider.

In 2011, almost one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities occurred in speed-related crashes, resulting in 9,944 deaths, according to AAA.

But other motorists see it another way.

“I think it might be better because you get to where you're going faster,” said Dade City resident Rebekah Sauls, 34.

According to AAA, what motorists make up for in time might make their wallets a little lighter.

“It would cost consumers more at the pump,” Morgan said, explaining fuel efficiency tends to decreases once a motorist hits about 55 or 60 mph.

But Spencer points out many people feel the most comfortable driving around 75-77 mph — which could elicit a traffic ticket from law enforcement.

“We're going to penalize a lot less drivers,” Spencer said of the proposed legislation.

According to Sgt. Tracy Pace with Florida Highway Patrol, the agency will start reaching out to other states to educate themselves about how to keep motorists safe with the proposed increase in speed.

“Whatever the legislature decides, we will always do our best job to support the laws for our motorists to make the roadways safer,” Pace said.

North Marion High School's driver's education instructor Joe Register is also concerned with safety. “My thought is 75 becomes 80 and 85 out on the interstate,” he said.

Instead of focusing on the speed limit, he wishes the legislature would put a little more bite into their distracted driving statues. “Distracted driving is now the number one killer of our young people,” said Register, who has been teaching driver's education for 38 years.

Register thought about the implications of raising the limit coupled with the distractions available to motorists in the digital age. “That sounds like a death trap,” he said.

<p>In his 25 years as a truck driver, Larry Hovey has sped over a great deal of America's roadways and past a variation of speed limit signs.</p><p>On his travels, the 67-year-old Michigan resident has also thought of ways to improve the journey for motorists, but that list didn't include a new proposal by two Florida state senators to raise the speed limit on the Interstates from 70 mph to 75 mph.</p><p>“I think, keep it where it's at,” Hovey said during a quick break at an I-75 southbound rest stop Thursday. “I think 70 is perfect.”</p><p>Across the parking lot, another motorist agreed.</p><p>“A tire blows out at 75, they are just going to roll over and die,” said John Paze, 71, of Jacksonville, standing near his navy blue SUV.</p><p>But state senators Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, and Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, see it differently. The pair have proposed legislation that would raise the maximum allowable speed limit on all roads under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Transportation. The proposal also includes raising the maximum limit on divided highways from 65 to 70 mph.</p><p>“Many drivers are already going in excess of 70 miles an hour, and if we raise it to be more in line with that, we will have a convergence,” said Chris Spencer, legislative assistant for Brandes via telephone. He said raising the limits to 75 would likely be seen in rural areas with straight stretches of road and would be influenced by the assessments of traffic engineers.</p><p>The proposed changes would take effect July 1, 2014.</p><p>There are 16 states with speed limits of 75 mph or higher, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.</p><p>“AAA believes there needs to be a study done to look at all the different factors that would go in (to the decision) before making an increase in the current speed,” said Karen Morgan, manager of public policy for AAA the Auto Club Group. She cited the design speed of the road, the number of access and exit points, capacity of the roadway and enforcement as factors to consider.</p><p>In 2011, almost one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities occurred in speed-related crashes, resulting in 9,944 deaths, according to AAA.</p><p>But other motorists see it another way.</p><p>“I think it might be better because you get to where you're going faster,” said Dade City resident Rebekah Sauls, 34.</p><p>According to AAA, what motorists make up for in time might make their wallets a little lighter.</p><p>“It would cost consumers more at the pump,” Morgan said, explaining fuel efficiency tends to decreases once a motorist hits about 55 or 60 mph.</p><p>But Spencer points out many people feel the most comfortable driving around 75-77 mph — which could elicit a traffic ticket from law enforcement.</p><p>“We're going to penalize a lot less drivers,” Spencer said of the proposed legislation.</p><p>According to Sgt. Tracy Pace with Florida Highway Patrol, the agency will start reaching out to other states to educate themselves about how to keep motorists safe with the proposed increase in speed.</p><p>“Whatever the legislature decides, we will always do our best job to support the laws for our motorists to make the roadways safer,” Pace said.</p><p>North Marion High School's driver's education instructor Joe Register is also concerned with safety. “My thought is 75 becomes 80 and 85 out on the interstate,” he said.</p><p>Instead of focusing on the speed limit, he wishes the legislature would put a little more bite into their distracted driving statues. “Distracted driving is now the number one killer of our young people,” said Register, who has been teaching driver's education for 38 years.</p><p>Register thought about the implications of raising the limit coupled with the distractions available to motorists in the digital age. “That sounds like a death trap,” he said.</p>